Although Independence High School did not come away victorious in their school's first football game, it did have many opportunities to learn the fight song as the Hawks downed the Tigers 53-42 in a game dominated by offense.
Skyline jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter behind two touchdown passes from Blake Appleton to Budder Haley. Darion Santucci added a one yard scoring plunge to stake the Hawks out to the big early lead.
Independence got on the board in the 2nd quarter using 7 plays and a short field with quarterback Brian Courtney carrying the ball 5 times including on the five yard touchdown run to make the score 20-7 with 10:40 left in the 2nd quarter.
The Hawks answered quickly on the next drive with Santucci starting things off with 3 carries for 21 yards, followed by a 20 yard catch by Haley, a 5 yard run by Anthony Domino, and then an 11 yard touchdown run by Logan Maiatico. That put the Hawks on top 27-7 with 7:48 left in the second quarter.
It only took Independence two plays to answer though, as Courtney faked a handoff and then streaked 68 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. Courtney would run for 233 yards and 5 touchdowns and throw for 214 yards and another touchdown on the night.
The last score of the first half came with just 4.1 seconds remaining as on 3rd and 10, Appleton found Haley in stride for a 33 yard touchdown reception. Haley finished the game with 6 catches, 4 of those going for touchdowns. The halftime score was 34-14.
Santucci, Haley and David Carter had the second half touchdowns for the Hawks. Santucci finished the game with 167 yards rushing, Maiatico had 103, and Carter gained 87. Maiatico also had several outstanding plays on special teams returning the kicks, making tackles, and downing punts. He also had an over-the-shoulder interception in the first half. The Hawks had 0 turnovers.
Skyline will host Broadway next Friday night.
Skyline jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter behind two touchdown passes from Blake Appleton to Budder Haley. Darion Santucci added a one yard scoring plunge to stake the Hawks out to the big early lead.
Independence got on the board in the 2nd quarter using 7 plays and a short field with quarterback Brian Courtney carrying the ball 5 times including on the five yard touchdown run to make the score 20-7 with 10:40 left in the 2nd quarter.
The Hawks answered quickly on the next drive with Santucci starting things off with 3 carries for 21 yards, followed by a 20 yard catch by Haley, a 5 yard run by Anthony Domino, and then an 11 yard touchdown run by Logan Maiatico. That put the Hawks on top 27-7 with 7:48 left in the second quarter.
It only took Independence two plays to answer though, as Courtney faked a handoff and then streaked 68 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. Courtney would run for 233 yards and 5 touchdowns and throw for 214 yards and another touchdown on the night.
The last score of the first half came with just 4.1 seconds remaining as on 3rd and 10, Appleton found Haley in stride for a 33 yard touchdown reception. Haley finished the game with 6 catches, 4 of those going for touchdowns. The halftime score was 34-14.
Santucci, Haley and David Carter had the second half touchdowns for the Hawks. Santucci finished the game with 167 yards rushing, Maiatico had 103, and Carter gained 87. Maiatico also had several outstanding plays on special teams returning the kicks, making tackles, and downing punts. He also had an over-the-shoulder interception in the first half. The Hawks had 0 turnovers.
Skyline will host Broadway next Friday night.
